Microsoft sues Salesforce over CRM software

Microsoft said it has filed a lawsuit against customer relationship management outfit Salesforce.com, claiming its software infringes upon nine Microsoft patents.

Microsoft accuses Salesforce of using its patented technology in its CRM software, specifically the graphical user interface and menu system are cited as well as the way in which the software gathers remote data.

Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing, got on his high horse to proclaim: “Microsoft has been a leader and innovator in the software industry for decades and continues to invest billions of dollars each year in bringing great software products and services to market.

"We have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to safeguard that investment, and therefore cannot stand idly by when others infringe our IP rights.”

Salesforce has not yet made any statement regarding the action.

Microsoft filed suit in suit in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington in Seattle, as Microsoft Corp v Salesforce.com Inc, case number 2:10-cv-00825.